Applicability of ultrasonography for evaluating trunk muscles size in athletes: a study focused on baseball batters

Current advances and research in ultrasound imaging to the assessment and management of musculoskeletal disorders

Currently evidence-based practice has given scientific weight to the physical therapist profession; it is essential that all medical professional and physical therapists know the usefulness of new tools that optimize the effectiveness of their interventions and allow the growing of the scientific knowledge base. The use of ultrasound imaging (USI) by physiotherapists has evolved in recent years, consolidating as an increasingly standardized technique, low cost compared to other imaging techniques, quickly of execution, feasible and reliable tool. USI offers a wide range of opportunities in clinical practice as well as in different research areas. Therefore, ultrasound has been currently used as a diagnostic tool by physicians and in recent years there has been an expansion of the use of ultrasound equipment by non-physicians professionals such as physical therapist or physical trainers, who incorporates USI as a means of assessing musculoskeletal system architecture and composition, musculoskeletal changes in dysfunction, pain or injury conditions, as an interventional technique assisting echo-guided procedures or using the visual real-time information as a biofeedback in control motor approaches, as guiding tool in clinical decisions as well as to improve the understanding of tissue adaptations to exercise or movement. The purpose of this article is to review and provide an overview about the currently research of the USI applications and their benefits for the diagnosis and management in individuals with musculoskeletal conditions.

Ultrasound imaging features of the Achilles tendon in dancers. Is there a correlation between the imaging and clinical findings? A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the prevalence of tendon pathology and performance associated in pre-professional classic dancers with no history of Achilles tendon (AT) pain.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was conducted.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-nine classic ballet dancers without AT pain (58 tendons) were recruited. The tendons were classified (normal, abnormal) using ultrasound imaging (USI). Cross-sectional area (CSA) and thickness of flexor hallucis longus (FHL) muscle were measured using USI. Range of movement (ROM) of the first metatarsophalangeal join, balance test, endurance test and vertical jump were measured (bilaterally) as performance variables.

RESULTS

More than a half (62%) of the participants had at least one abnormal tendon, with 45% of the dancers in the abnormal group having bilateral abnormalities. Dancers with AT pathology had significantly more years of dancing and number of weekly pointe hours than those with no pathology on US imaging. No significant differences between the groups were identified for the rest of the variables. Dancing years were moderately correlated with AT thickness.

CONCLUSIONS

Asymptomatic classic dancers had a high incidence of tendon pathology. Increased dancing years was associated with pathology in the AT. Nevertheless, these abnormalities may not affect dance performance.

Comparison of the Abdominal Wall Muscle Thickness in Female Rugby Players Versus Non-Athletic Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Objectives: Rugby players engage in demanding, high loading muscular activity in the spine. Study of the abdominal wall architecture in female rugby athletes is relevant to the possible muscular asymmetry secondary to sport practice and the relationship between the abdominal wall and the pelvic floor muscles. Activation of the transversus abdominis (TrAb) generates an increase in the bladder neck muscle. Moreover, an increased interrecti distance (IRD) is related to urinary incontinence and has a higher prevalence in athletic women. The aim of the present study was to compare and quantify, with ultrasound imaging (USI), the thickness of the transversus abdominis (TrAb), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), rectus abdominis (RA), and interrecti distance (IRD) in female rugby players versus non-athletic women in order to improve upon existing knowledge about abdominal wall configuration in female athletes. Materials and Methods: A sample of 32 women was recruited at the Universidad Europea Research Lab and divided in two groups: a rugby group (n = 16) and a non-athletic women group (n = 16). The thickness of the TrAb, EO, IO, RA, and IRD were assessed by USI in both groups. Results: There were statistically significant differences for the ultrasound evaluation thickness of the right TrAb (p = 0.011; d = 0.10), EO (p = 0.045; d = 0.74), IO (p = 0.003; d = 1.32), and RA (p = 0.001; d = 1.38) showing a thickness increase for the rugby group with respect to the control group. For the IRD thickness, there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between groups. Conclusions: An increased TrAb, IO, EO, and RA thickness may be shown in female rugby players versus non-athletic women. Nevertheless, statistically relevant differences were not found for the IRD between both groups.

Is rectus abdominis thickness associated with survival among patients with liver cirrhosis? A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia may affect patients with liver cirrhosis and worsen disease outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate ultrasound-measured psoas major (PM) and rectus abdominis (RA) thickness for predicting survival among patients with liver cirrhosis.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Prospective cohort study in a tertiary-level hospital.

METHODS

61 patients with liver cirrhosis were prospectively included during a 15-month period and followed up for at least six months. Cirrhosis was classified using the Child-Pugh score. Sarcopenia was assessed using surrogate parameters: handgrip strength (HGS), mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) and SGA (subjective global assessment). We used ultrasound to measure RA and PM thickness at admission.

RESULTS

There were 41 men. The patients' mean age was 58.03 ± 10.8 years. 26.22% of them were Child-Pugh A, 45.9% B and 27.86% C. The patients were followed up for 11.9 ± 5.63 months. RA thickness correlated moderately with MAMC (r = 0. 596; P < 0.0001) and HGS (r = 0.515; P < 0.0001) and decreased with increasing SGA class (A, 10.6 ± 2.8 mm; B, 8.3 ± 1.9 mm; C, 6.5 ± 1.9 mm; P < 0.0001). Survival at six months was independently predicted by using the model for end-stage liver disease-serum sodium score (odds ratio, OR 1.305; 95% OR confidence interval 1.083-1.572; P = 0.005). Survival during follow-up was independently predicted by RA thickness (hazard ratio, HR 0.701; 95% HR confidence interval 0.533-0.922; P = 0.011) and ascites (HR 1.876; 95% HR confidence interval 1.078-3.267; P = 0.026). PM thickness did not have any predictive value.

CONCLUSIONS

As a surrogate marker of sarcopenia, RA thickness may predict survival among patients with liver cirrhosis.